Legwork: Intermediate

Many intermediates try to change direction by turning their entire body. First they lean into the turn. Then, their uphill hand drops behind them, out of their field of vision. Steering with your shoulders, torso and hips creates a delayed reaction: Your upper body twists harder and faster than your skis actually turn. This is ineffective; by the end of each turn, your shoulders will be facing away from your direction of travel.

SOLUTION

Steer with your legs and feet

A Face where you're going and keep both hands where you can see them. If you lose sight of your inside hand, you've rotated into the turn. If you lose sight of your outside hand, you've counterrotated away from the turn. Both are problematic.

D As you steer past the fall line with your thighs, feel your knees driving into the turn.

E Complete the turn with your legs. If you're looking where you're going and both hands are in view (think elbows in front of ribs), then you haven't rotated and you're correctly facing the direction of travel.